Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-20T09:33:16.500Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Proof of concept for growing lettuce and carrot in a biobased mulch membrane

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2020

Mauro B. D. Tofanelli ,
Ignatius Kadoma  and
Sam E. Wortman Open the ORCID record for Sam E. Wortman [Opens in a new window]
Mauro B. D. Tofanelli
Affiliation:
Agricultural Sciences Sector, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540, Cabral 80035-050Curitiba-PR, Brazil
Ignatius Kadoma
Affiliation:
3M Film & Materials Resource Division, 3M Company, 3M Center, Building 236-1D-53, St. Paul, MN55144, USA
Sam E. Wortman*
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln, 279 Plant Sciences Hall, Lincoln, NE68583, USA
*
Author for correspondence: Sam E. Wortman, E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Manufactured biobased mulch (biomulch) films and fabrics are useful non-chemical weed management tools, but are not typically used for high-density plantings of vegetables such as lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and carrot (Daucus carota L. subsp. sativus). However, it may be possible for crop roots to grow through a permeable biomulch membrane. Our objective was to demonstrate the potential for lettuce and carrot to germinate on and grow through biomulch, and assess changes in crop growth and yield. Biomulches included a 100% polylactic acid (PLA) biofabric and a PLA (37%) + soybean meal (63%) biofabric (PLA + SOY). Seeds were placed directly on biomulch and top-dressed with a soil mix or compost. Crop roots grew through the biomulch (despite visible constriction in carrot), and total yields were either the same or greater than those in the no-mulch control. PLA + SOY increased lettuce yield by 72% and also degraded faster than the PLA mulch. Results hold promise for improving weed control and reducing labor in high-density vegetable plantings.

Keywords

Agricultural mulchbiobasedbiomulchorganic agriculturevegetable crops
Type
From the Field
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 36 , Issue 2 , April 2021 , pp. 121 - 125
Check for updates
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Baker, BP and Mohler, CL (2015) Weed management by upstate New York organic farmers: strategies, techniques and research priorities. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 30, 418–427.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bond, W and Grundy, AC (2001) Non-chemical weed management in organic farming systems. Weed Research 41, 383–405.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Boyd, NS, Brennan, EB and Fennimore, SA (2006) Stale seedbed techniques for organic vegetable production. Weed Technology 20, 1052–1057.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cai, X and Gu, M (2016) Bioherbicides in organic horticulture. Horticulturae 2, 3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Eiland, F, Klamer, M, Lind, A-M, Leth, M and Bååth, E (2001) Influence of initial C/N ratio on chemical and microbial composition during long term composting of straw. Microbial Ecology 41, 272–280.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fontanelli, M, Martelloni, L, Raffaelli, M, Frasconi, C, Ginanni, M and Peruzzi, A (2015) Weed management in autumn fresh market spinach: a nonchemical alternative. HortTechnology 25, 177–184.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gilardi, G, Gullino, ML and Garibaldi, A (2018) Emerging foliar and soil-borne pathogens of leafy vegetable crops: a possible threat to Europe. EPPO Bulletin 48, 116–127.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leinonen, P and Närkki, V (2004) Lay-down working cart improves efficacy of hand weeding. 6th EWRS Workshop on Physical and Cultural Weed Control, Lillehammer, Norway, March 8–10, 2004.Google Scholar
Liu, DC and Gao, FY (2018) Multi-functional characteristics of novel biodegradable mulching films from citric acid fermentation wastes. Waste and Biomass Valorization 9, 1379–1387.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lounsbury, NP and Weil, RR (2015) No-till seeded spinach after winterkilled cover crops in an organic production system. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 30, 473–485.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sharapov, UM, Wendel, AM, Davis, JP, Keene, WE, Farrar, J, Sodha, S, Hyytia-Trees, E, Leeper, M, Gerner-Smidt, P, Griffin, PM and Braden, C (2016) Multistate outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections associated with consumption of fresh spinach: United States, 2006. Journal of Food Protection 79, 2024–2030.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shrestha, A, Rodriguez, A, Pasakdee, S and Bañuelos, G (2015) Comparative efficacy of white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) seed meals as bioherbicides in organic broccoli (Brassica oleracea Var. botrytis) and spinach (Spinacea oleracea) production. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 46, 33–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thompson, AA, Samuelson, MB, Kadoma, I, Soto-Cantu, E, Drijber, R and Wortman, SE (2019) Degradation rate of bio-based agricultural mulch is influenced by mulch composition and biostimulant application. Journal of Polymers and the Environment 27, 498–509.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) (1965) United States standards for grades of topped carrots—U.S. Extra No. 1: §51.2360. Available at https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Carrot%2C_Topped_Standard%5B1%5D.pdf, accessed January 10, 2020.Google Scholar
Wortman, SE and Dawson, JO (2015) Nitrogenase activity and nodule biomass of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) decrease in cover crop mixtures. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 46, 1443–1457.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wortman, SE, Kadoma, I and Crandall, MD (2015) Assessing the potential for spunbond, nonwoven biodegradable fabric as mulches for tomato and bell pepper crops. Scientia Horticulturae 193, 209–217.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wortman, SE, Kadoma, I and Crandall, MD (2016) Biodegradable plastic and fabric mulch performance in field and high tunnel cucumber production. HortTechnology 26, 148–155.CrossRefGoogle Scholar